Date-stamped : 26 Mar97 - 18:17
Day 1 report - Electronic Telegraph
Schultz has Australia on rack with four wickets
By Peter Deeley in Pretoria
BRETT SCHULTZ, almost written off at international level a
year ago, rewarded the gamble taken by South Africa on his
fitness with four wickets in an aggressive display of fast
bowling yesterday as Australia were dismissed for 227 on the
penultimate ball of the first day of this final Test.
Whether the home side are in the ascendancy remains to be
seen. Hansie Cronje's decision to put the tourists in means
they will face Shane Warne on a pitch which is bound to be
wearing later.
But for the moment, South Africa can celebrate one of their
best days of the series. The Australians, already a decisive
2-0 up, promised they were still fired up but presented a
slipshod array of batting on a pitch which was two-paced but
showed no signs of sideways movement.
English umpire Merv Kitchen, arriving for this game only a
fortnight after standing in the first West Indies-India Test
in Jamaica, was probably the central character of the day.
Steve Waugh, who, with 67, was the only man to pass 50 - and
incidentally pushed his overall Test average over the
half-century mark - was aggrieved at Kitchen's decision to
give him caught down the leg side by Dave Richardson when the
ball appeared to have flicked a pad.
Kitchen was unfortunate enough to have to adjudicate on
several hairline leg-before decisions during Schultz's final
10-over spell in which he took three for 21.
Ian Healy survived two and also another leg-side chance which
Richardson spilled as he barrelled sideways. In desperation, a
kneeling Schultz held up three fingers, which Kitchen at first
took to be a reference to himself. But the bowler explained
later: "I told the umpire that I was implying nothing against
him, only telling Healy it was third time lucky."
Perseverance paid off for Schultz. He got Kitchen's finger of
approval to dismiss Michael Bevan and Shane Warne leg before
in the space of four balls, but then Healy wandered up the
umpire's end and said some words which brought a hard stare
from the Englishman.
It was an abrasive last session after the most insipid cricket
of this highly charged series. Allan Donald took his 150th
Test wicket in his 33rd game, but admitted that to start
with"he had bowled rubbish. Schultz, too, says he is slower
than he once was. He was in Cronje's side against England here
15 months ago - when the South African captain again won the
toss and chose to field - but broke down with injury, not for
the first time in his career, and only got in here because
Shaun Pollock was not fit.
Schultz said: "There were times when I thought my Test career
might be at an end. But my motto is 'never give up'. If I
break down, I will come back again. At least I finished this
day on the field."
Mark Taylor took 3.25 hours to struggle to 38, his highest
score in 12 innings, but still looked very uncertain and was
fourth out fishing at a wide ball without any foot movement.
Matthew Hayden and Mark Waugh were bowled through the gate
misjudging the pace, but Matthew Elliott's dismissal gave
South Africa the lift they needed.
Donald believes he can bounce Elliott out - and did here. The
left-hander went for the hook, top-edged it almost straight
behind him, and Schultz, running 20 yards, took a fine catch.
Steve Waugh and Greg Blewett gave hints of that 385-run stand
in Johannesburg as they put on 80, but then Blewett became
another of Richardson's four victims when the off-spinner Pat
Symcox got extra bounce.
Brian Lara has had blood tests after he complained of feeling
lethargic during the second Test against India, which ended on
Tuesday.
Lara was ruled out of Trinidad and Tobago's Red Stripe game
against Guyana, which began in Berbice on Thursday. The West
Indies still expect him to play in the third Test, which
starts in Barbados next Thursday.
Source:: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)
Day 2 report - Electronic Telegraph
Bacher gives backbone to South Africa
By Peter Roebuck
DETERMINED batting by Adam Bacher and colleagues has given
South Africa a chance to end a disappointing series on a high
note. Helped by a dozing pitch and some notably sympathetic
umpiring, the locals wore down their opponents and can now
press for an encouraging victory.
Bacher worked hard for his runs. It took him 50 minutes to
break his duck and he was never in command against a
persistent attack. He was impressed by Steve Waugh's innings
at The Wanderers and brought the same unswerving concentration
to this innings. A reformed dasher, he has much of Waugh's
wilfulness. Mostly he moved on to the back foot and scored
runs square of the wicket with his bottom hand. He played
Shane Warne off the pitch and was lucky only once, umpire
Cyril Mitchley shaking his head as Bacher offered no stroke at
a googly, a depressing decision.
Mitchley also spared Pat Symcox on the last ball of the day.
Otherwise Bacher's innings was as secure as it was
unglamorous. Try as they might the Australians could not shake
his equanimity or break down his defence. At last a South
African batsman was playing a Test match innings and a large
and boisterous crowd roared him on. This is rugby territory,
Afrikaner territory, but the support has been stronger than
elsewhere. Previously the stands have been filled with black
children brought from the townships. Here lots of whites also
turned up, basking in the sunshine or cooking their sausages
on the hills of this pleasant ground.
Australia were surprised and frustrated by their inability to
take wickets. The pitch had been slightly uneven on the
opening day and they had relied upon some fickleness
remaining. Instead the bowlers were forced to strain for
movement and only Warne's remarkable leg-break beat the bat
with any regularity.
Strangely, Warne used his flipper only once, adding to rumours
that his shoulder does not permit frequent use. All too soon
Australia felt obliged to try their part-timers, a result of
their tactic of choosing only three specialist bowlers. A
heavy price is being paid to keep Mark Taylor in the team.
An early strike proved deceptive. Gary Kirsten has been having
a rotten time and he failed again, touching an outswinger in
Glenn McGrath's opening spell. Ian Healy took the catch, his
300th victim in Test cricket. Only Rod Marsh (355) has more.
Australia had wasted the new ball, though South Africa had
been much worse on the first day until they were rescued by
colourful contributions from Brett Schultz and Symcox, a pair
whose irascibility lifted the team from their introspection.
Really these teams have too many meetings and dieticians and
psychologists and so forth. It's a wonder any of them ever
loses. It took the leathery off-spinner and his swashbuckling
chum to shake off the inhibitions.
Brian McMillan had been asked to bat at first wicket down, a
position hitherto occupied by Jacques Kallis. McMillan has not
bowled in this match and averages 40 in Test cricket but he is
not a natural top-order batsman and his promotion will be
temporary.
Still looking more like Gerard Depardieu than does the
distinguished French actor himself, he batted in his rugged
way and refused to be perturbed as Warne spun deliveries past
his probing bat. At 65 for one he seemed to be caught behind
as McGrath bowled a superb spell after lunch but umpire Mervyn
Kitchen thought otherwise. Kitchen is having an interesting
match. It's been a Kitchen sink drama.
McMillan was happier against Michael Bevan, whose bowling
included several high full pitches. Bevan is averaging 18 in
Test cricket and is regarded in the Australian camp as the
second best spinner around, a far-fetched notion considering
that Mushtaq Ahmed has taken 64 wickets in his last eight
matches; Anil Kumble, Saqlain Mushtaq and Paul Strang are not
bad either. Bevan appears dangerous with runs on the board.
These Australians are a different side when they score heavily
in their first innings.
Not until the total had reach 128 did McMillan fall and,
surprisingly, Mark Waugh took his wicket. Waugh's innings in
Port Elizabeth was the most accomplished of his career but his
spinners remain gentle. Nonetheless McMillan pushed a catch to
Matt Hayden at short leg.
Hayden is among those due to return to Australia at the end of
this series. Matthew Elliott and probably Justin Langer are
expected to join him. Mark Taylor's position is uncertain.
Stuart Law, Michael Divenuto and, possibly, Ryan Campbell and
Shane Lee will be the replacements.
By all accounts those going home are devastated and the effect
upon spirits here and hereafter are incalculable. Changing the
team for the one-day part of the tour seemed a good idea but
it might backfire.
Meanwhile Bacher batted along, sweeping Warne for six as he
went. Daryll Cullinan joined him and began driving and hooking
in an attempt to hasten the scoring and justify his
reputation. Perhaps Cullinan waited too long to play Test
cricket. Australia took the second new ball and Cullinan fell
to it, edging on to his stumps to give McGrath a deserved
second wicket. But Bacher was not to be shifted and was still
intact at stumps after 360 minutes of tenacious resistance.
Source:: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)
Day 3 report - Electronic Telegraph
Hostile Donald raises doubts
By Peter Deeley in Pretoria
TOO late to save the series, South Africa are at least saving
face with a fiery performance which has made Australia look
far from world-beaters in this third and final Test.
Before the Waugh twins added 66 the visitors were in
considerable disarray at 28 for three. Their top order had
been destroyed by one of the most lethal spells of fast
bowling even Allan Donald has produced in his 33 Tests.
But cracks in the pitch are making it increasingly hostile and
Australia could yet produce the kind of fightback which won
them the second Test. They are 96 for four, still 61 behind,
after Mark Waugh dragged Pat Symcox on to his stumps.
After South Africa gained a first-innings lead of 157, Donald
accounted for Mark Taylor and Matthew Elliott in five overs
with speed and movement. Then Steve Waugh was battered on the
rib-cage.
Earlier Matthew Hayden stormed off the field - and surely out
of Test cricket - when Brett Schultz won a debatable
leg-before decision.
Weaknesses have been exposed which will give comfort to
England in the coming Ashes series. Australia do not have an
opening partnership worthy of the name. In the three Tests the
highest stand between Taylor and Hayden has been 33.
This game has also shown Australia's need to employ a third
seamer for England. From the way Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne
were battered around Centurion Park they must rejig their
formation, leaving out a batsman, to make way for the likes of
Paul Reiffel.
There was a time yesterday when Australia promised to climb
back into contention. McGrath produced sustained quick bowling
to dismiss Jacques Kallis and Adam Bacher in three balls, at
which point South Africa were a mere 35 runs on.
Bacher, 94 overnight, had prodded for 85 minutes in search of
his maiden Test hundred. In the end he got two more singles -
though the leg-before decision looked to be yet another of the
uncalled no-balls which have dogged the series.
Then Hansie Cronje and Lance Klusener, mistrusting the pitch,
used the long handle as 122 were added for the last three
wickets.
McGrath was scythed for two sixes by Cronje and Klusener hit
Warne for one far over extra cover.
Source:: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)
Day 4 report - Electronic Telegraph
Healy banned as Donald sees off Australia
By Peter Deeley in Pretoria
SOUTH AFRICA wrapped up the final Test inside four days with
more devastation from Allan Donald. That left Australia 2-1
winners and caused regret that a series so poised could not be
played over the traditional five-match course.
After the way the home side climbed back into contention
following a drubbing in the first game, it is hard to predict
how this rubber would have ended if the sides still had to go
to Durban and Cape Town.
If Australia's recent form is anything to go by there would
have been a result. Their last 17 Tests have ended in a result
- 10 victories and seven defeats.
Curiously, the series was originally scheduled for this time
next year but it was brought forward so that India could
entertain Australia in 12 months.
Donald's two-wicket burst in three deliveries immediately
after lunch crushed Australian hopes of setting a fighting
target, most tellingly when Jason Gillespie's off stump was
whipped out by a yorker.
The fast bowler, who returns to Warwickshire next month,
emphasised his dominance as early as the fifth ball of the day
when another yorker bent back Greg Blewett's middle stump.
After off-spinner Pat Symcox bowled Michael Bevan round his
legs the inspiration of two old heads in Steve Waugh and Ian
Healy was Australia's need in the crisis.
Instead Healy was undone by another of many umpiring errors in
this series, Cyril Mitchley giving him out caught behind when
the ball clearly came off the pad.
A furious Healy stomped off with many a glare and his bat
reached the dressing room before him, courtesy of an under-arm
throw as he climbed the stairs.
Healy was later suspended for the first two one-day
international games here. Match referee Raman Subba Row said:
"I warned that umpires' decisions should be accepted and those
who questioned them demonstrably would be suspended."
Hopefully Subba Row will comment in his International Cricket
Council report on some undistinguished umpiring. He might also
pass on the comment of one umpire who confided that with
television replays and players' appealing the job was becoming
almost untenable.
Steve Waugh stayed to the end, sharing in a final stand of 21
with Glenn McGrath. Waugh batted for 4.5 hours for his 60 and
won his third successive man-of-the-series award against South
Africa. Australia somewhat mitigated the size of defeat as
Adam Bacher tentatively pushed Gillespie to point and Gary
Kirsten was caught behind. Fittingly Daryll Cullinan, who has
taken more verbal flak than most out in the middle, brought
victory with successive boundaries.
It was a game of contrasting fortunes for two strike bowlers.
Donald, finishing with match figures of eight for 96, has now
taken 36 wickets in nine Tests against Australia.
Shane Warne did not bowl yesterday and with none for 89 in the
first innings, it is the first time in 44 Tests he has failed
to take a wicket.
Hansie Cronje, South Africa's captain, said: "Our players have
learnt more in the last two weeks than in their entire
cricketing careers."
Mark Taylor will be staying on to lead Australia in the
international series. He had been given the option of going
home for a rest before the tour of England.
Source:: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)
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